Looking at my Google searches after an evening in the kitchen makes me think of how helpless I would be without my almighty helper next to me at all times. The question regarding aluminum foil wasn’t from today’s harvest though, I stumbled upon it long ago.
The question regarding aluminum foil is definitely a frequently asked one when it comes to most kitchen appliances. It may be because there are strict restrictions regarding the use of aluminum foil in the microwave and one might think that those same restrictions apply to other devices too.
Aluminum foil has many areas of usage and some of the most common ones include wrapping foods and lining baskets, trays, or racks. It’s a great conductor of heat and will collect grease and crumbs, making clean-up a breeze. No wonder users want to use aluminum foil in their air fryers. Let’s see if it works.
You can use aluminum foil in an air fryer as long as you make sure it’s held down by the weight of the food to prevent it from being blown into the heating element or fan, as this could potentially start a fire or damage the unit. The foil should never cover the air fryer fan, as this will prevent the unit from circulating heated air, resulting in undercooked or unevenly cooked food.
Other than that, aluminum foil can be used in an air fryer the same way it’s used in a convection oven. Avoid using it when you’re cooking highly acidic foods though. More on that later in the article.
Because an air fryer cooks the food by circulating hot air, it is important that you don’t block the air from flowing freely around the air fryer, doing so will result in slower and less evenly cooked food.
If the liner prevents the air fryer from circulating air completely, then you’ve pretty much robbed the air fryer of its primary function.
Because most air fryers have their heating coils and fans installed on the top portion of the device (above the cavity where the basket is placed), you should be in the green as long as you only line the basket or the foods placed inside it with aluminum foil.
As an added bonus, any oil, marinade, or other liquid that spills while the foods are being cooked will be collected on the foil at the base of the basket, making it easy to clean the air fryer after using it. It isn’t hard to make a mess in an air fryer, mainly because of the mesh-like design of the basket.
It’s designed to simplify the distribution of heated air but a great amount of crumbs, residue, liquids, and spices will fall through and collect at the bottom.
This can, of course, be counteracted by using aluminum foil.
While aluminum foil is awesome, there are more accessories that can be used in the air fryer. Some of them have definitely enhanced the whole experience for me. Here’s a list of things I think anyone would benefit from having if they use their air fryer on a regular basis.
How To Use Aluminum Foil in an Air Fryer
Now that we’ve deemed aluminum foil useful, let’s talk about how it should be used in the air fryer to get the most out of it and to make sure no harm is done to the chef or the device itself.
Before we get down to business I would like to remind you that the first and most reliable source of information will be the user manual that came with your device.
Browse through it before you apply the methods below. Most air fryers shouldn’t have a problem but there may be particular models that should be handled differently.
- Don’t cover anything outside of the basket. You may be tempted to place foil on the bottom portion of the air fryer, under the basket, to collect grease and food particles but you shouldn’t. Always keep it in the basket.
- Don’t cover the entire basket with aluminum foil. If all of the basket’s holes are covered, there will be no proper airflow.
- Only cover a portion of the basket but also make sure that all edges of the foil are contained within the basket to prevent small parts from ending up in the fan or the heating coil.
- Make sure that there’s enough weight placed on the aluminum cover to prevent it from being blown away once the air fryer is powered.
- Make sure that foods have enough space in the air fryer’s basket. Don’t force the ingredients into the basket as it will restrict sufficient hot air supply.
- You may wrap foods in aluminum foil when cooking them in the air fryer. You can also, as stated above, simply use aluminum foil as a liner in the basket.
- Optional: Poke holes in the aluminum for proper airflow. Don’t do this if you’re cooking with a liquid batter as it will drip and collect at the air fryer’s base.
You might be interested in reading: Why Does Everything Stick To My Air Fryer?
Is It Dangerous To Cook With Aluminum Foil In An Air Fryer
Normally, you would wrap vegetables or meat in aluminum foil when cooking to preserve their juices and afterward keep the meat or the vegetables in the foil wrap to keep their warmth. The same can be done with the air fryer without risk, according to the Center for Disease Control’s Agency.
Nevertheless, the question still stands and should be taken into consideration. As adults, we normally consume aluminum foil through water and processed foods – somewhere between 1-10mg of it daily.
If we were to cook with aluminum foil and expose ourselves to even larger amounts of aluminum foil daily, we might put our health at risk.
Studies have shown that there seems to be a link between too much dietary aluminum and Alzheimer’s disease. However, it’s hard to tell the precise role that aluminum plays in the development of the disease.
If you’re worried about the health risks linked to dietary aluminum and cooking with foil, I suggest you research the topic and then determine if you think it’s something worth staying away from or if it’s a matter of balance.
With the answers we have today, we can say that it is generally safe to cook with aluminum foil in an air fryer if it’s done properly and occasionally. I’m sure your food will be just as tasty when using substitutes for foil, such as parchment paper or air fryer liners.
What Food Can You Wrap In Aluminum In an Air Fryer?
Some foods are better off without aluminum foil while others can be cooked to perfection by wrapping them in aluminum foil and letting them marinate in the juices that are collected within. We’ve gathered what the general public thinks, and what we know from experience.
This doesn’t mean that it can’t be done. These are just guidelines about the food that we’ve successfully used aluminum foil for when cooking in the air fryer.
It should be noted that foods that are air-fried in wrap tend to become soggier, as they’re steamed within the confinements of the wrap.
If you’re looking for a crispier texture, simply cooking in the air fryer’s basket is enough. With that said, let’s check out what seems to be the most asked-about foods when it comes to wrapping in an air fryer.
1. Can Chicken Be Wrapped In Aluminum Foil In the Air Fryer?
Chicken can absolutely be wrapped in aluminum foil in the air fryer. At home, we tend to wrap chicken fillets in aluminum foil with garlic, oil, and any spice we might be craving then let it sit in the air fryer until the cycle has finished. You can fill the foil wrap with anything you like.
Remember to not overcrowd the basket or block the fan and you’ll be fine.
2. Can You Wrap Fish In Aluminum Foil In an Air Fryer?
You can wrap fish in aluminum foil and cook it in an air fryer. This can be done with many types of fish, such as salmon, cod, tilapia, and a bunch of other alternatives.
You can put lemon wedges, herbs, and your favorite spices in the wrap. The fish will be both air-fried and steamed, making it incredibly tender.
It’s a delicious must-try!
3. Can You Wrap Meat In Aluminum Foil In an Air Fryer?
You can wrap meat in foil when cooking it in the air fryer just like you would with either chicken or fish. The results are great too! Because air fryers cook food quickly, your meat will not be as tender as it would be when using other, slower, methods.
This varies greatly depending on the type of meat, of course. Tough pieces of meat are often best in the slow cooker if you ask me.
Read more: Can You Steam In an Air Fryer?
Don’t Use Aluminum Foil If You’re Air Frying Acidic Foods
Highly acidic foods include fruits, tomatoes, tomato sauce, and dishes made with vinegar. The aluminum foil may also react to food that has high levels of salt or otherwise spiced food. When that happens, the foil decomposes and leaves small black aluminum particles on the food.
While these specks may be safe to eat, they can also have an impact on the taste of your food, giving it a slightly “metallic” taste. This is true for air fryers, convection ovens, and even when storing food in aluminum foil.
But don’t worry, this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t cook acidic foods in your air fryer – it simply means you shouldn’t use aluminum foil, and instead go for a more suitable option, such as air fryer liners.
How Is Aluminum Foil Made?
Aluminum foil is made by rolling slabs of aluminum in a rolling mill until they’re as thick or thin as you desire. The slabs and the rolling mill are monitored by a technician at all times.
During the process, sensors will tell the technician if the pressure on the slab is correct. Otherwise, they have to be adjusted to apply more or less pressure. When the slabs have reached the desired thickness they’re coiled and sent to the cold rolling mill.
Perforated Parchment Paper For Air Fryers Makes Clean Up A Breeze
It’s true. There are perforated parchment papers made for air fryers, unlike regular parchment paper, these have a pattern of holes to let the circulating air flow through and cook the food evenly from all angles.
Perforated parchment papers can be used with all foods. They don’t stick, they are heat-resistant, they absorb grease and they make clean-up such a breeze, especially when cooking wet batters that drip from the food.
Put one of these in your basket and place your fries on top to keep your fryer free from grease. They are available on Amazon in packs of 100 pcs for a couple of dollars.
Ever since I started using perforated parchment paper I’ve noticed that
- I never spend more than half a minute cleaning my air fryer
- My food never sticks to the basket or any other surface I put it on
- I get evenly cooked chicken wings, breasts, and fries, every single time.
You can make your own perforated parchment paper for the air fryer at home by using regular parchment paper and a rotary cutter with a perforating blade.
What You Shouldn’t Put In An Air Fryer
As we know by now, the air fryer cooks by circulating heated air throughout the unit’s cavity. With that in mind, we want to avoid food that is too light in weight as it may blow around in the air fryer and eventually as the powerful fan starts to circulate air.
This could potentially throw any ingredient or liner into the fan or the heating element, which we don’t want as it may result in a house fire.
Another thing you should avoid is wet batters, as you can imagine, the fan will blow the batter all over the air fryer’s inside.
You want to make sure that the batter you are using is thicker than you usually go for, this will ensure that the batter sticks to the food instead of blowing all over the air fryer.
Related Questions
Which brands of air fryers can I put aluminum foil or parchment paper in? You can use aluminum foil and/or parchment paper in Philips, Gourmia, Gowise, Nuwave, Power, and most other brands as long as the paper or foil doesn’t block or clog the fan in the air fryer.
What do you put in air fryer foil packet meals? My absolute favorites include salmon, chicken,
Can you use an air fryer without the basket? Sure you can. You can use any pan that is safe to use in a convection oven in an air fryer, the only problem is usually the lack of space in an air fryer, therefore, a pan without a handle or any air fryer accessory might be a better option than regular pans. But yes, you can cook in an air fryer without the basket.
Conclusion
An air fryer is a versatile tool that can be used with many kinds of foods. When experimenting with other materials in the air fryer, make sure that you’re cautious and well-informed of the risks if there are any.
When it comes to aluminum foil, tin foil, and silicone, it seems like you are safe to go as long as you keep a couple of things in mind.